Overview And Highlights
Gosaikunda Helambu Trek is the perfect introduction to trekking in Nepal as you enjoy the glorious mountain vistas, untouched indigenous culture and diverse Himalayan wildlife.
The Langtang and Helambu Districts lie to the north of Kathmandu. The east-west Langtang Valley is set between the high border ranges and a lower range to the south – which includes the Gosaikunda Lakes. The Helambu District lies further south in the softer Middle Hills just north of the capital. The trekking region is less crowded than the most popular routes, yet offers broader Himalayan panoramas than elsewhere. The Gosaikunda Helambu Trek offers a superb panorama of the
Langtang range along with views of Gauri Shankar, Ganesh Himal, Dorje Lakpa, Shishapangma and Jugal Himal as well as glimpses of Manaslu.
Days
11 days
Distance
110 km
Difficulty
Easy
Highest Point
4610 mt
Best Season For The Trek
The best time to perform the Gosaikunda Helambu Trek is during the spring (March - May) and autumn (September - November) seasons. These periods generally have stable weather, moderate temperature and clear skies. This will provide you with the best views and an easier trekking experience. It is advised to not perform this trek during monsoon season (July/August) as the trails can be quite slippery and dangerous due to the rain.
Trek Difficulty
The Gosaikunda Helambu Trek is a moderate difficulty trek that can performed as a teahouse or camping trek. You will walk for an average of 6 hours a day over steep and hilly trails that will lead up to altitudes of 4600 meters at most. As such, decent physical fitness and stamina is recommended. However, no prior trekking experience is necessary for this trek.
Day To Day Itinerary
Day 1
1300 mtArrival: Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport (4 260ft)
After completing passport, immigration and visa requirements, we will meet you outside the
terminal building (look for your name board) and transfer you to your hotel: afternoon free.
Evening: a welcome dinner, introduction to your guide and a briefing on the trek with a check on
necessities. Overnight at hotel.
Transfer: car
Food: welcome dinner
Accomodation: Hotel
Day 2
1300 mtIn the City Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing OR A Day at Leisure
Take a day tour to five of the Kathmandu Valley’s cultural world heritage sites: Swayambhunath, the
famed “monkey temple;” the city’s historical Durbar Square with ancient temples, unique art,
architecture, and the chance to see the Kumari (living goddess); Patan’s Durbar Square; the Hindu
temple Pashupatinath and Bouddhanath, the world’s largest stupa.
A car and driver will take you to each site-entrance and wait for you. (Entry tickets and lunch are not
included.)
Transfer: car
Food: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accomodation: Hotel
Day 3
1962 mtKathmandu – Dhunche (6 440ft)
The tarred Northern Highway from Kathmandu snakes northeast through Middle Hill forest and
farmland to cross the Tadi Khola at Devighat, near its confluence with the Trisuli Nadi from Tibet. It
then swings northeast up the Trisuli Valley to Betrawati, snakes over a pass to Ramche and
continues, more sedately, to Dhunche. Overnight in Dhunche.
Transfer: 5-6 hrs drive
Food: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accomodation: Hotel
Day 4
3330 mtDhunche – Deorali (2 660m/8 730ft) – Chandan Bari/Shin Gompa (10 930ft)
An upward day: begin up a road from the lower end of the village to a trail through fields on the
south bank of the Trisuli Khola. Cross to the north bank and head steeply up the narrowing valley to
a spur before turning NE to Deorali. Continue upwards, for ~1hr, through stands of fir and
rhododendron towards a higher ridge and on to a clearing. An hour on is a small hamlet and later a
single teahouse with views over the valley. The next ridge leads to the hamlet of Dimsa (3 030m) and
a fork: the right trail leading to an army post and final pull, through scrub oak, to Chandan Bari and
the Shin Gompa. The Gompa has a cheese factory; both worth visiting! Overnight in Chandan Bari.
Trek: 5-6 hrs
Food: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accomodation: Lodge
Day 5
3950 mtChandan Bari – Laurebina Yak (12 960ft)
Views of the Ganesh and Langtang Himals continue as the trail steadily rises. A sanctuary for the
preservation of the endangered red panda (in Nepalese: cat bear) has been created on the northern
slopes.
With altitude, trees are gradually replaced by scrub vegetation: Chalang Pati’s (3 550m) open
panorama makes a good tea venue. The views broaden as the trail continues to rise with Manaslu (8
156m) appearing in the east while the sweep of peaks, including some north of the border, stretches
to the Annapurnas in the west. Enjoy a free afternoon and night in Laurebina Yak.
Trek: 3-4 hrs
Food: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accomodation: Lodge
Day 6
4380Laurebina Yak – Gosaikunda (14 450ft)
Catch the sunrise on camera before breakfast. Hike to a ridge and pass waterfalls from the Saraswati
Kund (4 100m, lake). A high, exposed trail overlooks the south-western Trisuli Valley then the
Bhairav Kund. Ahead is the largest lake; Gosain Kund with the village on its north-western shore. A
ridge behind the village offers good viewpoints: including semi-frozen lakes to the S. The lakes are
holy to both Hindus and Buddhists alike. There is an important Hindu Temple to Shiva in the village.
A revered festival is held annually over full moon in August. Afternoon exploration and overnight in
Gosaikunda.
Trek: 3-4 hrs
Food: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accomodation: Lodge
Day 7
3440Gosaikunda – Laurebina La (4 610m/15 210ft) – Gopte (11 290ft)
Approximately 1½ hrs is needed to summit the La, passing three smaller lakes and the Sura (Sun)
Kund. Summit views are magnificent. The 1 200m descent follows a stream to a seasonal ‘high camp
teahouse’ before dropping down to Phedi (3 740m). A rocky trail then undulates down several
ridges, eventually descending into pine and rhododendron forest below the cliffs of the Thare Danda
(ridge). Finally, negotiate more ravines before ascending to Gopte’s ridge. Overnight in warmer
Gopte.
Trek: 5-6 hrs
Food: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accomodation: Lodge
Day 8
2450 mtGopte – Tharepati (3 640m/12 010ft) – Kutumsang (8 090ft)
Trek across several rocky ravines with old boulder-strewn moraine beds before climbing to a high,
windy ridge and the village of Tharepati. Views to the northeast include Gauri Shankar in the NE,
Dorje Lakpa, the Jugal Himal, and ranges into Tibet: with Shisha Pangma (8 027m/26 335ft), China’s
only 8 000m peak.
A further 1 200m descent over a succession of ridges, promises a more comfortable night. It begins
steeply through dense pines to Magin Goth (3 290m); in hilly Helambu. Then climb the Mera Danda
(3 510m) for the last good sighting of the Langtang Himal. A further valley crossing heads for Panghu
Danda (3 350m). Then follow ridges down, past a waterfall, through fir and rhododendron forest to
the fields surrounding Kutumsang. Overnight in Kutumsang.
Trek: 6-8 hrs
Food: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accomodation: Lodge
Day 9
2160 mtKutumsang – Chisopani (7 130ft)
Initially the trail climbs past granite cliffs, then meanders to the Tamang village of Golphu Bhanjyang
(2 140m). It then continues gently upward to Thotong (2 260m) and the Lapchu Danda (2 420m).
Fine views over this lovely region continue to the south from high ground. The trail then descends
through terraces and new forest to substantial Chipling. Finally, negotiate two lower ridges before
rising gently to Chisopani: with distant peak views to the north once more. Overnight in Chisopani.
Trek: 5-6 hrs
Food: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accomodation: Lodge
Day 10
1300 mtChisopani – Sundarijal (1 350m/4 430ft) -- Kathmandu (4 260ft)
Chisopani lies on the northern border of the Shivapuri National Park; and is Kathmandu’s chief water
catchment basin. Walk through dense forest, up to the Borlang Bhanjyang (2 430m) before
undulating to Mulkharka (1 800m) and descending to Sundarijal on the southern border of the park.
A car will return you to your h
otel in Kathmandu. Overnight in Kathmandu.
Trek: 4-5 hrs
Transfer: 1hr drive
Food: breakfast, lunch, farewell dinner
Accomodation: Hotel
Day 11
1300 mtFinal departure
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight to your next destination.
Transfer: car
Food: breakfast
What Do You Need?
Fotogallery
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